John Nelson evokes extraordinarily Wagnerian sounds from his forces in
the second section where Parsifal-like filigree meets a choral climax of
great bell-like outpouring of devotion in the Sanctus. He has, here and
throughout, a tremendously sure hand with carefully graded dynamics from
tender restraint to uninhibited praise. There are times, though, when he
seems unable to elicit the kind of spring-in-the-step rhythmic exuberance
which the music demands. To my ears, his control of the 'Christe Rex Gloriae'
is somewhat earthbound [listen -- track 5, 2:45-3:38].

Many might be drawn to this issue by the presence of Roberto Alagna in
the 'Te Ergo' and he gives no cause to disappoint his various justified
fans. The music suits his voice perfectly, he is blessedly free of point-making
histrionics and spins a fine lyrical line [listen
-- track 6, 5:12-6:09].